Home run derby leads Diamond Dawgs to series-opening beatdown of Mizzou, 25-7

Mississippi State had an offensive explosion on night one of the series with Missouri and the Diamond Dawgs delivered their biggest of the year.

After missing a chance to run-rule in the seventh inning, the Diamond Dawgs left no doubt in the latter stages as a 10-run ninth would deliver the final blow. A school-record eight home runs led the way in one of the most explosive offensive games in school history as State won 25-7.

The offensive fireworks brought State the most runs in a game in over 15 years as the 25 runs were the most since 2010. It was also the most runs in an SEC game since also hitting the 25-run mark against Vanderbilt in 1997.

“I thought it was unbelievable, especially to get the runs early to get us going this weekend,” coach Justin Parker said on postgame radio. “It was quality at bat after quality at bat. It was a really good night to hit and we did a great job.”

Hines ties school record with two bombs

Ace Reese, Hunter Hines and Reed Stallman all hit two home runs each in the win. Reese had a big game with his 3-for-6 outing giving him a 19-game hitting streak and he delivered four RBI while also having a double in the ball game. The Houston transfer has now hit 19 home runs in his sophomore season.

Hines had the most notable deep shots. His two home runs came in the same inning in the ninth to help the Bulldogs pull away for good, and the two would get him to 67 in his career which ties him with Rafael Palmeiro for the most in MSU history.

“You could see the relief,” Parker said of the home run. “Just the elation in the dugout was a really cool moment.”

Stallman entered the game for Gehrig Frei in the bottom of the first inning after Frei’s slide into third base injured his knee. The backup would go 2-for-3 with three RBI on those two homers and it was his 10^th and 11^th homers of the season.  

Home runs from Joe Powell and Noah Sullivan also made the highlight reel for the Bulldogs (32-20, 13-15 SEC). Sullivan was 3-for-5 with two RBI while Powell finished 2-for-6 with three runs scored. Bryce Chance was 3-for-6 with two RBI and Gatlin Sanders finished 2-for-4.

MSU had 23 hits as a team with the eight home runs, four doubles and even a triple coming off the bat of Steven Spallita late in the game.

It was a consistent night offensively for the Bulldogs as they scored runs in six of the nine innings. State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and kept adding. A run in the second frame and then four in each of the fourth and sixth innings would make it 12-0.

When starter Pico Kohn left the game, Stone Simmons and Kevin Mannell couldn’t end the game early. The two combined to throw 1.2 innings and give up six hits, seven runs and a walk as the lead dwindled down to 12-7. That followed up getting just 4.1 innings from Kohn as he walked four batters but he only surrendered two hits and didn’t give up a run.

“I’m a little frustrated,” Parker said. “Pico has been on short rest for three-straight weeks and I thought he did a nice job of getting out of jams, but as far as commanding the ball he could have done a better job. Nate did a great job coming in and shutting things down.”

Nate Williams had to come in and finish the game as he pitched the final 3.0 innings and allowed just one base runner via a hit in the ninth.  He struck out four to make sure things didn’t go haywire.

Up Next

The victory has State in good position the rest of the way as the Bulldogs head into game two on Friday night at 6 p.m. with a chance to take the series. Evan Siary will be on the mound fresh off of a gem against Ole Miss in which he threw 8.0 innings of shutout baseball with no walks and 15 strikeouts. Parker is hoping the team takes its offense into that game as well.

“I think it’s confidence and swagger. These guys are seeing the ball well and (assistant coaches) (Jake Gautreau) and (Kyle Cheesebrough) are doing a great job,” Parker said. “We can’t carry the runs over to tomorrow, but hopefully that confidence is here to stay.”